Using the prize money from the Verdanturf Capture Contest, Aiden Flint bought a large number of Luxury Balls and successfully replaced the Poké Balls of his two Eevee and two Kirlia.
After stocking up on plenty of supplies for the journey ahead, he set off toward Mauville City.
Along the way, Aiden let his Pokémon battle frequently to train, and he also used some of the Evolution Stones he had obtained. Both Nidorino and both Nidorina were evolved into Nidoking and Nidoqueen, consuming four Moon Stones in total.
After evolving, Nidoking and Nidoqueen's potential rose to Purple-tier.
Under those conditions, any offspring they produced would naturally inherit better genes, stronger foundations, and higher talent.
If, in the future, a Nidoking with a Force Ability and Gold-tier potential appeared, Aiden would absolutely train it as a core Pokémon.
Not only that, several Treecko within the Treecko tribe also successfully evolved into Grovyle, and quite a few Purple-tier Aiden evolved as well. Inside the System Space, every tribe was steadily growing stronger.
As for Aiden's two newly captured Eevee, after being shown all the possible Eevee evolutions, the first one decided it wanted to evolve into Umbreon, while Eevee Number Two chose Glaceon.
Aiden just happened to have an Ice Stone he obtained in Verdanturf Town. When he used it on Eevee Number Two, he also added a Potential Evolution Stone.
Eevee immediately began to evolve.
Normally, Glaceon would require leveling up near an Icy Rock in Sinnoh, but after later updates to the rules of evolution, Ice Stones could also trigger Glaceon's evolution.
Since Eevee itself wanted to become Glaceon, Aiden naturally fulfilled her wish.
When the light faded, a sleek Glaceon appeared before him.
Pokémon: Glaceon
Level: 22
Ability: Snow Cloak
Type: Ice
Potential: Gold
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Yawn, Curse, Charm, Ice Shard, Ice Beam, Ice Fang
Friendship: 168
Background: Met in the Verdanturf Protection Zone and successfully evolved with the Trainer's help
Preference: Loves food and enjoys peaceful, secluded living
With the help of the Potential Evolution Stone, Eevee had successfully evolved into a Gold-tier Glaceon.
Although her friendship wasn't extremely high yet, that was already impressive considering she had only been captured a few days ago.
As for the other Eevee who wanted to become Umbreon, she would first need higher friendship, then level up at night to evolve.
Meanwhile, Aiden received a pleasant surprise from Chimchar.
Inside the System Space, after winning a simulated battle, Chimchar successfully evolved into Monferno.
Even more impressively, during this evolution, its potential upgraded to Gold-tier.
Did this mean Monferno had a chance of reaching Red-tier in its final form?
Potential represented a Pokémon's growth limit and ultimate strength.
Naturally, Aiden wanted his Pokémon to have the highest potential possible.
No wonder Pokémon raised from Eggs were so beloved by Trainers—the bond and growth were simply on another level.
"Ding! Monferno's current status."
Pokémon: Monferno
Level: 19
Ability: Iron Fist
Type: Fire / Fighting
Potential: Gold
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Scratch, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Flame Wheel, Heat Wave, Fire Spin
Friendship: 254
Background: The Chimchar who saw its Trainer from the moment it was born, now evolved into Monferno
Preference: Loves its Trainer and wants to become the strongest for him
Monferno's friendship was only a tiny step away from being maxed out.
After several more days of training, Aiden finally arrived at the location of the fourth Gym—
Mauville City.
"Ding! Host status panel updated."
Host: Aiden Flint
Age: 18
Funds: 1,500,000 Poké Dollars
Items: Luxury Ball ×15, Sceptile Mega Stone ×1, Key Stone ×1, Leaf Stone, Fire Stone, Water Stone, Thunder Stone, Dusk Stone…
System Space: Active
Main Pokémon: Rayquaza, Sceptile, Pidgeot, Milotic, Lairon, Metang, Monferno, Glaceon, Eevee, Kirlia ×2
Tribe Pokémon:
Pidgey (515), Treecko (130), Aron (303), Ponyta (4), Eevee (8), Rhyhorn (4), Swablu (2), Vibrava (4), Nidoking & Nidoqueen (4) …
Aiden now had eleven main combat Pokémon, most of them already at Gold-tier potential.
However, only Rayquaza, Sceptile, Pidgeot, and Milotic had truly reached the pseudo–Elite Four level, all above Level 40.
The others were still in the 30s at best.
After arriving in Mauville, Aiden left his Pokémon at the Pokémon Center with Nurse Joy, rested for a day, and then headed to challenge the Mauville Gym.
The Mauville Gym was an Electric-type Gym, so his first choice was naturally Lairon.
As for the other two Pokémon, that would depend on what Gym Leader Wattson sent out.
Carrying his Poké Balls, Aiden entered the Gym.
Just like his previous challenges, a Gym staff member guided him inside to wait.
Soon, an energetic old man with white hair and a thick white beard stepped forward.
Wattson, the Mauville Gym Leader.
"So you're today's challenger, Aiden Flint. You look full of energy! Let's have a great battle!"
Aiden smiled.
"I look forward to it, Gym Leader Wattson."
"Now beginning the Gym Battle between Challenger Aiden Flint and Mauville Gym Leader Wattson. The format is three-on-three. Only the Challenger may switch Pokémon."
"Battle start!"
Wattson's first Pokémon appeared.
A Level 20 Magnemite.
Seeing such an ordinary opponent, Aiden chose accordingly.
"In that case… Monferno, I'm counting on you!"
Wattson blinked when he saw this unfamiliar Pokémon from Sinnoh, but he could still tell it was Fire-type.
"An unknown Fire-type Pokémon? Interesting. Magnemite—Discharge!"
…
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